“I reckon that the Black Hawk peril was largely manufactured,” said Abe as they sat in the cool shade.  “If they had been let alone I don’t believe the Indians would have done any harm.  It reminds me a little of the story of a rich man down in Lexington who put a cast iron buck in his dooryard.  Next morning all the dogs in the neighborhood got together and looked him over from a distance.  He had invaded their territory and they reckoned that he was theirs.  They saw a chance for war.  One o’ their number volunteered to go and scare up the buck.  So he raised the hair on his back and sneaked up from behind and when he was about forty feet away made hell bent for the buck’s heels.  The buck didn’t move and the dog nearly broke his neck on that pair o’ cast iron legs.  He went limping back to his comrades.

“‘What’s the trouble?’ they asked.

“‘It’s nary buck,’ said the dog.

“‘What is it then?’

“‘Darned if I know.  It kicks like a mule an’ smells like a gate post.’

“‘Come on, you fellers.  It looks to me like a good time to go home,’ said a wise old dog.  ‘I’ve learned that ye can’t always believe yerself.’

“It’s a good thing for a man or a government to learn,” Abe went on as they resumed their journey.  “I’ve learned not to believe everything I hear, The first command I gave, one o’ the company hollered ‘Go to h—­l.’  Every one before me laughed.  It was a chance to get mad.  I didn’t for I knew what it meant.  I just looked sober and said:  “’Well, boys, I haven’t far to go and I reckon we’ll all get there if we don’t quit fooling an’ ‘tend to business.’

“They agreed with me.”

Harry had not heard from home since he left it.  Abe had had a letter from Rutledge which gave him the news of Bim’s elopement The letter had said: 

“I was over to Beardstown the day Kelso and McNeil got off the steamer.  I brought them home with me.  Kelso was bigger than his trouble.  Said that the ways of youth were a part of the great plan.  ‘Thorns!  Thorns!’ he said.  ’They are the teachers of wisdom and who am I that I should think myself or my daughter too good for the like since it is written that Jesus Christ did not complain of them.’”

“Have you heard from home?” Abe asked as they paddled on.

“Not a word,” said Harry.

“You’re not expecting to meet Bim Kelso?”

“That’s the best part of getting home for me,” said Harry, turning with a smile.

“Let her drift for a minute,” said Abe.  “I’ve got a letter from James Rutledge that I want to read to you.  There’s a big lesson in it for both of us—­something to remember as long as we live.”

Abe read the letter.  Harry sat motionless.  Slowly his head bent forward until his chin touched his breast.

Abe said with a tender note in his voice as he folded the letter: 

“This man is well along in life.  He hasn’t youth to help him as you have.  See how he takes it and she’s the only child he has.  There are millions of pretty girls in the world for you to choose from.”